Kwame
Meaningborn on saturday · Akan
Kwame is an African boy name meaning “born on saturday”, with Akan roots. In Akan tradition, many children are named for the day of the week they were born. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kwame would score 14 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKwame peaked in 1990, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Kwame you'd meet today is about 35 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Kwame would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 40,650 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryKwame first shows up in US birth records in 1960, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 65 years since.
US births per million boys, 1960–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kwame
Kwame is a boy name of African origin meaning “born on saturday”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1990s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Kwame
What does the name Kwame mean?
Kwame means “born on saturday” and comes from Akan. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Ato (“born on Saturday”), Kwamena (“born on Saturday”) and Kwami (“born on Saturday”).
What is the origin of the name Kwame?
Kwame is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Akan. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Kwame a boy or girl name?
Kwame is a boy name. In 2025, 42 US boys were named Kwame.
How popular is the name Kwame?
Kwame ranked #2,941 for US boys in 2025, given to 42 babies. Its best year was 1990, when it reached #583. Over the last five years it has slipped 474 places.
What names are similar to Kwame?
If you like Kwame, you might also like Ato, Kwamena and Kwami.
What should I know before naming my baby Kwame?
Kwame is an African boy name meaning “born on saturday”, with Akan roots. In Akan tradition, many children are named for the day of the week they were born. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.